The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has clarified why the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) was not invited to the Thursday meeting at the Presidential Villa.
Media reports last week quoted its Minister, Chris Ngige, as saying that relevant agencies would hold a meeting pertaining the ongoing university strike the next day, but ASUU President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, said his union did not receive any invitation.
However, a statement by the Ministry’s spokesperson Mr Olajide Oshundun explained the meeting was meant for only inter-ministerial departments and agencies committees of the Federal Government and that none of the university based unions including ASUU was invited.
It is hoped that before Wednesday this week, all the various sub-committees will turn in their reports, to enable Mr. President to be briefed fully and for decisions to be taken on the contentious payment platform and the renegotiation of the conditions of service, especially the issue of wage increase.
“It is after receiving briefings from the government side that the Ministry of Labour will bring all the stakeholders, including the unions, to a conference table to look at the agreement before signing or endorsement.”
